Post on 19-May-2021
Sonic presents:
EAR TO EAR INSPIRATIONS
3 people who took a win from hearing lossIt’s easy to think hearing loss would be a disadvantage in life—but you’d never know it from these outstanding individuals. All became famous in their fields while experiencing hearing loss to some degree. Learn what these hard-of-hearing heroes did during their lifetimes and how each turned an impairment into an improvement.
Ludwig Van Beethoven
Beethoven was so distressed about his worsening hearing during his 30s that he wrote of suicide to his brothers. But commitment to
his art—and creative approaches—kept him composing.
The piano legs Beethoven dismantled so he could lie next to his keyboard and feel
the instrument’s vibrations through the
floorboards.
The Symphony famous for its
“da-da-da-DUNN” motif was Beethoven’s recollection of a bird’s
song. (Just much, much louder.)
Conversation books in which Beethoven and his
friends wrote notes to each other to compensate for his hearing loss. Today they’re rich insights into his
music.
1770 – 1827
Thomas Edison
We know him for his inventions in sound—the phonograph, recorded music, and motion pictures just to name a few, but many people are
surprised to learn Thomas Edison was severely hard of hearing.
Edison’s age when he contracted
scarlet fever which led to hearing loss.
The number of U.S. patents Edison held
at his death.
1847 – 1931
He never devised a hearing aid, but his carbon transmitter paved the way for instruments today.
William Hoy
The most accomplished deaf player in Major League Baseball, William Hoy is credited in developing baseball umpires’ hand
signals. Highly intelligent, Hoy would correct anyone addressing him with an epithet referring to his hearing-impaired speech, but in
humor he referred to himself as “Dummy.”
Hoy supervised hundreds of deaf
workers at the Goodyear factory to support war efforts.
His class ranking as valedictorian from
the Ohio State School for the Deaf.
Standing just 5’4” tall, Hoy’s tiny strike zone and quick feet led to an
impressive on-base percentage.
1862 – 1961
Total months of Edison’s formal
schooling.
333
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No. 5 No. 5 No. 5
When the audience erupted into applause
at this Piano Concerto’s premiere, Beethoven
had to be turned to face the crowd—he couldn’t
hear their ovations.
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No. 5 No. 5 No. 5
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